EFFECT OF FEED ADDITIVES ON MORPHOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PARAMETERS OF MUSCLE TISSUE IN DAGESTAN MOUNTAIN YOUNG RAMS

Abstract

The introduction of feed additives (FA) “LactuVet” (3%) and “ProteinFood” (3%, 5% and 7%) into starter feeds had a positive effect on the increase in live weight and the quality of young rams` meat at the age of 4 months. The research was carried out on young rams of Dagestan mountain breed in the agricultural enterprise “Agrofirma Shamgoda” in Gunibsky district of the Republic of Dagestan. In 2025, during the lambing period, four groups of 15 young rams each were selected according to the pair‑analog method and placed in the experiment. The lambs of the control group received the basic ration (BR), which included meadow hay, starter feed, and mineral premix. The young rams of the II, III and IV experimental groups also received FA “LactuVet” (3%) and FA “ProteinFood” (3%, 5%, and 7%) as part of a BR modified by partially replacing sunflower meal from the total mass of feed ingredients. When the lambs reached 4 months of age, they had an advantage over their herdmates in the control group in terms of live weight and average daily growth of 2,8 and 3,5%; 5,6 and 5,9%; 20,0% (p≤0,01) and 23,0% (p≤0,01). The analysis of meat parameters of young rams of the Dagestan mountain breed of the II, III and IV experimental groups shows that the samples contain more: dry matter – by 0,59; 2,22 and 2,72 abs. %; protein – by 0,50; 2,05 and 2,57 abs. %; fat – by 0,01; 0,20 and 0,05 abs. %. The meat of young sheep of the II, III and IV experimental groups showed superior marbling scores compared to those from the control group – by 0,90; 6,80% (p ≤ 0,05) and 9,20% (p ≤ 0,05) with a lower content of connective tissue of 11,10% (p ≤ 0,05), 16,60% (p ≤ 0,01) and 29,50% (p ≤ 0,01), which indicates the tenderness of the lamb, juiciness and better consumptive qualities of the product.